The Open 2009: Colin Montgomerie is a drama queen, says Sandy Lyle

So much for that 'apology'. Sandy Lyle again proved his weak grasp of
diplomacy on Thursday night when he reignited his spat with Colin
Montgomerie, describing the Ryder Cup captain as a "drama queen hiding
behind his manager".

The start of The Open proper should have signalled the end to hostilities between the Scots, which began on Tuesday when Lyle dug up the 'Jakarta-gate' controversy, with Montgomerie having incorrectly dropped his ball at the 2005 Indonesian Open. It was, Lyle alleged after reading a statement intended to douse the furore, "a form of what you would call cheating".

Montgomerie initially refused to comment but, having spent 30 minutes behind closed doors with his manager, Guy Kinnings, analysing Lyle's 'apology', he told reporters that he found the wording "very strange". That drew a dismissive response from Lyle, who claimed he had been trying to contact Montgomerie since the argument started.

"Colin is Colin. We do sometimes call him a bit of a drama queen," Lyle said. "You've got to get around to it, stop hiding behind your manager and come out and have a talk.

"He should be a man about it and we'll get together and sort it out over a couple of pints."

After a 75 to Montgomerie's 71 here, Lyle added: "He hasn't made any attempt [to contact me] and I don't have his phone number. I did have it, but it's wiped off now."